Description

It's easy to see that this woman is young. Standing at 5'3", she has the stature and gait of an eager young woman. Her skin is naturally tanned, with dark eyes. Her hair is long, kept loose and in dark waves that fall to the middle of her back. Though not gangly, she is thin.

Currently, she wears a long dark umber colored dress. The fabric is fine and has intricate embroidery along the sleeves and neckline of golden circles that upon closer look appear to be suns. The waist is tied with a dark red sash. She wears little jewelry, a thin gold chain with a pendant of an arrow.

Background

A young, naive Princess of Dorne out to find some adventure in the world.

Mariya Martell should never have been born. Amarei was in her forties when she became pregnant with Mariya. It had been years since her last child and though she had yet to move in to her time of the Crone, she certainly thought her days of giving birth were over. Despite all odds, there were no complications to the birth - both Amarei and Mariya were healthy. With such an age gap between herself and her siblings, she was spoiled and babied by the whole family.

Her elder siblings mostly fought and politicked with each other, leaving their baby sister out of it. There were enough children ahead of her that it seemed quite unlikely that she would inherit the throne. They went through the motions, giving her lessons in leading and politics, however her education mostly was focused on becoming a good head of a household rather than a Queen. It seemed just as well, as she was a sweet child and didn't have much head for the betrayal or backstabbing that went along with ruling. In fact, they were all content to leave Mariya to her myths and legends and romanticized history ballads. She was an avid reader, devouring most of the books in the Sunspear library and always begging for new stories whenever anyone traveled outside of the city. She sang and played music, putting on concerts that she was sure that others would love because she loved them. As she grew older, she became accustomed to the idea that everything would work out in her favor as nothing had ever proven to the contrary. Content to glide about with her head in the clouds due to the luck of her birth place and rank, she dreamed of adventure and love and the tales in her books. Her mother and those around her were happy to indulge her, seeing to it that she was shielded and protected from the evils and sadness of the world they inhabited.

Growing up, she was closest with her elder sister Ellia, who was much better at the politics and strategy than her sister. She realized how badly the girl needed a mentor in the ways of life and realized that no one else seemed willing to push her head out of the clouds. So, she attempted to prepare her for the world: dragging her to defense lessons with blades and bows as well as teaching her how to take the romantic flowers she loved and turn them into poisons. Mariya went through the motions to please her sister, but none of the lessons truly landed. She couldn't imagine using or needing such skills in her life. She hated the feel of a sword in her hand and she couldn't bear the idea of poisoning someone. The heroines of her stories never needed anything of the like.

Sick of a life she thought of as boring and overprotected (and without the proper knowledge to know what the world was truly like) she decided to run away to see how those outside the nobility lived. After planning, hoarding and packing for months, she engineered a visit to Ellia - who had since married Ser Osric of the house of Dayne. The large party set forth and at first, Itzal - her bastard half-brother and personal guard - kept a very close eye on her. She had a tendency to wander and he knew she wanted to explore. However, after a few days he grew more lax when it looked like she would pose little trouble. They were soon in the vast desert with no large cities to disappear in. It was then that she made her move and slipped past Itzal and into the deserts. She brought her instrument, old worn clothes that she had hidden the bottom of one of her trunks, food, water and enough coin to last her a few weeks. As she rode hard to outrun Itzal, she figured that she had planned for everything.

She managed on her own for almost a month. She stayed at inns, paying her way through and often singing for her supper. It was harder than she thought, but she relished the idea that she was living a life that she could perhaps sing about one day. However, her lack of geographical knowledge placed her further north than she should have been and landed her near a skirmish by the border. A man by the name of Ser Rycard Tarly had pushed through and came across Mariya on her horse - ripe for the taking. At first, Mariya attempted all the things that normally worked for her - fluttering eyelashes and innocent smiles. When those failed, she grasped hopelessly at the fighting lessons she disdained. The limited knowledge she had of defending herself with daggers was useless: Ser Rycard took her captive, stole her horse and dragged her sobbing back to his tents. He bound her to a tree while he enjoyed fine food - making loud and lewd comments as to what to do with the Dornish Whore that he had found on the roads. Many horrible things might have come to Mariya had it not been for a young Targaryen who rode gallantly to her rescue. Ser Daevon happened upon the camp as Tarly was starting to sadistically rip Mariya's clothing. Ser Daevon stopped the violence just in time, challenged the Tarly to a duel and slew him. Just like in her songs, the princess was rescued by the handsome and valiant knight.

Unable to process the horror that she was subjected to, Mariya instead latched on to the idea that everything happened for a reason. Romance, true love and epics were real - this proved it. When she remembered the violence and terror she faced, all she thought about was Daevon rushing to defend her. Framing the events in that way made her hands stop shaking and convinced herself that her inability to sleep was what happened after rescues. Without revealing her true identity, she directed him to escort her back to Starfall. It was only a few days after her attack that Itzal caught up with them. He had been following her trail closely. Upon finding his sister with bruises and cuts and in the company of a Targaryen, Itzal was convinced that Daevon was the perpetrator. Her true identity as a princess of Dorne was uncovered and Daevon was taken captive. It was a long ride back to Sunspear and during that time Daevon and Mariya convinced Itzal that he had been her savior and not her attacker.

It did her little good when she returned to Sunspear. Her guards were tripled and she was punished thoroughly. Daevon was nearly sentenced to death until both Itzal and Mariya vouched and pleaded for him. They managed to convince Amarei that Mariya owed him her life. Then, he was an honored prisoner, free to roam the palace. After her abduction, Mariya followed the Targaryen around in the throes of puppy love. It did not matter that he courted another. He had saved her life and that was a bond that could not be broken in her eyes. Eventually, a proper ransom was reached and Daevon left Sunspear, leaving Mariya bereft and lonely. She wrote often to Ellia.

Time passed and word came that Ellia and Osric were moving to Oldtown. Sensing that her younger sister needed a change and that she had the ability to make it happen, Ellia convinced their mother to allow Mariya to accompany them to Oldtown for a time. How could Mariya escape a famous knight and her eagle-eyed sister? And perhaps with the diversions of Oldtown, she wouldn't feel the need to.

RP Hooks

From Dorne or been to Sunspear? You might have met her/know her!

Hate/Love the Tarlys? Mariya was involved in the death of a Tarly. She dislikes them..

Relationships

AlarynBrother - Mariya loves her brother unconditionally, however, she has also heard the tales people tell of him. His arrival in Oldtown is a happy occasion, but it also makes her wary of why he is really here.

AliaHalf-Sister - Older than Mariya, Alia tends to be her more outgoing sibling who at times attempts to get Mariya in trouble or to have more fun.

AsharaCousin - Mariya looks up to her elder cousin, thinking her wise and wordly. She's glad to have her to help settle in to Oldtown routine.

DariusFavored Cousin - Darius is one of her favorite relatives. He is also a dangerous man, but he treats Mariya with sweetness and kindness. His arrival in Oldtown is a welcome sight.

ElliaSister - Mariya's closest sibling. Ellia attempted to prepare Mariya for the world. Barring that, she merely looks out for her. After the death of Osric, she has attempted to look after her and take care of her, to mixed results.

NadiraCousin - Nadira reminds Mariya somewhat of Ashara and, as such, she looks up to her cousin and her wit.

OsricGoodbrother - Osric is married to her sister, Ellia. While Mariya is much closer to Ellia than to Osric, she's happy that her sister has found an honorable and well-matched husband. She has traveled with them to Oldtown. Ser Osric's death at the Trial of Seven has affected Mariya deeply. He was a true knight and she would see the men who killed him punished.

AlaeynaFriend of the Family - A lover of her father and a good hand at the knife, Alaeyna is a worldly woman whose advice Mariya takes quite seriously.

ArrickTerrible Cockatrice - Arrick and Mariya knew each other in Sunspear when they were children. Arrick would tease and torment the younger princess. Not much changed when he returned a knight at age 20. Now that he is in Oldtown, their old childish rivalries and name calling has returned. Mariya finds him a frustrating man whom she has no problem pelting with grapes, even if he has a more endearing side that brings her flowers.

ArrosKnight of Dorne - Arros protects both she and Ashara from harm. He also attempts to make Mariya realize that the world is not the rose-tinted place she views it as, though she stubbornly refuses to believe him.

DaevonKnight in Shining Armor/Betrothed - Daevon rescued Mariya from Ser Rycard Tarly and returned her to her family. In her eyes, Daevon can do no wrong. After the unrest and bad blood between those of Westeros and the Dornish due to Wickham's Nest, a marriage was arranged to cement the peace. They are set to be wed in a year.

EmbryLady's Maid - Osric hired Embry to be a servant in at the White Stone Manse. Shortly afterward, Mariya met and befriended the young woman, insisting that she become her lady's maid. The two have quickly established a fast friendship and Mariya feels comfortable speaking with Embry about things she may not even tell her own family.

KeshaTyrell Twin - Or is it Keyte? They keep introducing themselves and it is still impossible to tell them apart. Kesha, she thinks, is the more political minded one who did not like Daevon.

KeyteTyrell Twin - Or is it Kesha? They keep introducing themselves and it is still impossible to tell them apart. Keyte, she thinks, is the more upbeat and friendly one?

LeireSepta - Before the Trial of Seven, Mariya went to the Starry Sept for guidance and met Leire. She made a prophecy that "The dragon tail may yet pierce the sun" - foretelling the betrothal of Mariya and Daevon.

TameronKnighted Squire - As Osric trusts Tameron, so does Mariya trust him. She judges him a good man of sound judgement, though he tends toward the more dour than she approves of.

MagdenLady Squire - Mariya heartily approves of Magden being Tameron's squire and does not care who knows it. If Tameron believes the woman capable of following that path of the Warrior, she sees no reason to disagree. The few times they have met, she has observed Magden to be a shy but earnest girl who seems to have Tameron's best interests at heart - and that is all the confidence she requires.

ValerityPessimistic Friend - The first time they met, they were on opposite sides of a debate on Visenya's whereabouts. Afterward, after she and the other Dornish were taken to the Hightower for their protection they became friends. Mariya enjoys Valerity's company and is grateful that despite the politics has befriended her. Maybe she will even get her to be more optimistic.

VisenyaDragon Friend - The twin sister to Daevon, Mariya has heard many things of her through both rumors and from Daevon. She thought she would be afraid in the woman's company, but instead, she finds her a kind woman whom she wishes to know better.

QuillKiller - Quillian killed Ser Osric in the Trial of the Seven. That would be more than enough to dislike him, but he then took Dawn and wielded it against Ser Arros. She hates him for that.

From afar, Quillian WILL BREAK YOU. I mean. Make sure you enjoy your stay. :D
Long distance to Quillian: Mariya /dies/.
Long distance to Quillian: Mariya WILL REMAIN UNBROKEN'
Quillian pages: BUT NOT UNBENT
Quillian pages: I don't know what that implies or means.
Long distance to Quillian: Mariya was about to say. XD

Embry pages: Embry is acting suspicious in this scene. Quill might REALLY think we were up to something if he could see. XD
Long distance to Embry: Mariya dies.
You paged Embry with 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING'
From afar, Embry IS JUST BEING REALLY NERVOUS AND WAITING AROUND IN THE STREET
Long distance to Embry: Mariya laughs and laughs.
You paged Embry with 'Oh Embry.'
You paged Embry with 'A messenger comes by, "DID YOU GET THE POISON I ASKED FOR EMBRY LOVE PRINCESS MARIYA MARTELL OF DORNE"'
From afar, Embry sadsfdghfjhg dies. XD
You paged Embry with 'The note would be in all caps, too.'
Embry pages: Of course.
Long distance to Embry: Mariya invented capslock in Westeros.
Embry pages: Your true legacy.

<Public> Mariya is a sweetly innocent maid.
Abram pages Mariya and Arrick: If Mariya were sweet and innocent, you would not longer be a maid! But no, Mariya is suspicious and conniving and totally wrecks a dude's Wimgman efforts. >_>
Long distance to Abram and Arrick: Mariya dies.
You paged Abram and Arrick with 'Not at all!'
From afar (to Mariya and Arrick), Abram XD
You paged Abram and Arrick with 'She is a sweet innocent maid that guards her chastity! there will be songs!'
Abram pages Mariya and Arrick: …What boring songs!
Long distance to Abram and Arrick: Mariya HUFFS OFF.
Long distance to Abram and Arrick: Mariya XD
Abram pages Mariya and Arrick: Okay, Arrick: she is totally hot when she;s angry, you were right.
From afar (to Abram and Mariya), Arrick gives chase.
<Public> Daevon has all the scandal
You paged Abram and Arrick with 'SOMEONE has to take care of these men.'
<Public> Gashlycrumb says, "Hail scandal."
<Public> Carolis says, "Oooh."
<Public> Mariya WILL BE THAT WOMAN.
<Public> Cregan says, "Scandal spatters everywhere."
<Public> Mariya says, "…m-mav"
<Public> Cregan says, "…"
<Public> Carolis says, "+1"
<Public> Mariya just.
From afar, Arrick laughs.
<Public> Mariya takes it.
<Public> Cregan says, "I bet."
<Public> Mariya says, "rar"
<Public> Mariya is actually crying laughing because her page was not at all meant to be sexual.
Long distance to Abram and Arrick: Mariya will be that woman
You paged Abram and Arrick with 'in lower case now'
From afar (to Mariya and Arrick), Abram is laughing so hard right now. XD